Last October 9, 2015, the Australian Filipino Community Services (AFCS) held a public forum entitled “Filipinos Ageing in a Foreign Land” at Deakin Edge in Melbourne, Australia. Ms. Norminda Forteza, managing director of the AFCS, invited the Dementia Society of the Philippines to serve as one of the resource speakers for the said event. Having previously established linkages with this group and sharing a common advocacy of taking care of dementia patients and their caregivers, our society was more than happy to oblige. Dr. Maurice Sanosa, an accomplished geriatrician and one of the more active members of DSP, went there as our representative.

The public forum tackled issues on ageing well, the signs of dementia, advanced care planning methods, and care issues of returning migrants. Dr. Maurice Sanosa’s talk on early signs of dementia and advanced care planning methods using the Filipino perspective was well received by audience members at the event. Ms. Norminda Forteza sent a letter of appreciation addressed to our president, Dr. Darwin Dasig, commending the Dementia Society of the Philippines’ active participation in AFCS public forum.